Recognising Godleman

It is a sign, I think, of the progress made by Derbyshire that we are now complaining about 'only' winning on the last ball of the game. Further evidence of the same can be found in our disappointment over failing to make 300 against Nottinghamshire.

Billy Godleman made a century in each of those games and 'only' made 87 against Northamptonshire. It is a rich vein of form that has seen him pass 300 runs in his first three innings of the tournament.

Time was when a Derbyshire top five would struggle to a hundred runs between them, and when one day wins came along so rarely as to spark euphoria and the consideration of a local holiday.

Billy Godleman scored his fifth List A century for the county yesterday, which puts him up there with the legends. Only Messrs Barnett, Adams, Morris, Jones and Di Venuto have scored more. In 30 years time, history may not stand him alongside these in graceful technique and stylish stroke play, but he will be second to none for grit and making the absolute most of everything he has.

Very few batsmen leave the south of England and make a success of a career in the north of the country. Indeed, there was a time when the best of them developed injuries, ahead of a 'northern tour' that tested technique and temperament.

Billy burst onto the scene at Lord's as a dazzling stroke player, went into what appeared a terminal decline in a move to Essex, and after a sticky start has become a cult hero in the East Midlands.

Much of his stroke play smacks of the unorthodox, with shovels, nudges and dabs of his own, but it works. He plays within his limitations, knows his game and is a worthy opponent and captain. He has become increasingly shrewd in the latter role, a man to be respected.

Of course he is not without fault. Who is, among us? His running between the wickets can be hesitant, his footwork laboured against spin, his range of strokes limited against bowlers of accuracy. On occasion a 'hoik' comes out, one that smears the ball anywhere between long leg and mid on, but it usually works for him. Don't go coaching it to too many of the kids in your junior section though...

Yet we missed his solidity when he dropped down the order last year. He has undeniably grasped a major principle of one-day success, that someone has to bat through the innings. Without him in the side for these last three games, someone else would have  needed to score those runs. And may not have done so.

Score them he has, and will doubtless continue. If he had that top gear, one that allowed him to press on when well set, he would currently be preparing for a World Cup, so good is his record in this format. Probably still playing down south, too, which would be our loss.

Perhaps, when he has done his anchoring job, it would be good to see him bring out 'the long handle' a little more, or know when the time for the more fleet of foot and inventive to earn their corn has come. But we will miss him when his time comes, I guarantee you that.

Godleman, Reece, Madsen, du Plooy... in its own, different way may become a modern-day rival for the Barnett, Bowler, Morris, Adams axis, one that made my younger days special.

They didn't always get the tactics right either, but it was quite often magnificent entertainment, while it lasted.

I suspect the next few years will be the same. Win, lose, or draw, it should be a lot of fun.

Enjoy it, while it lasts.